Kaduna state governor, Uba Sani, has said the residents must harness diversity and turn it into an asset, stressing that Rwandan example can be replicated in the state.
Governor Sani said if Rwanda, a country that experienced ethnic cleansing which shocked the world can become an ‘oasis’ of peace and ethnic harmony, the people of Kaduna state have no excuse to remain captives of the past.
In his remarks during a one day reflection meeting on Kaduna direction on peace building, held in Kaduna yesterday, Sani said he was deeply worried by the ethnic and religious divisions in Kaduna State.
The governor said: “I am the Governor of a State where all government’s actions or inactions are viewed from the lenses of religion and ethnicity. I manage a state where emotions run high at the slightest provocation or perception of injustice. We are captives of our past. A past marked by incessant conflicts, bloodletting, hate and distrust.
“But we must break loose from our unpleasant past. We must collectively free ourselves from the grip of conflict merchants and agents of retrogression. We must change the narrative and bring development and progress into the discourse.
Sani added: “The starting point is for us to recognize the fact that our state is diverse, with its complexities and possibilities. We must harness our diversity and turn it into an asset. If Rwanda that experienced ethnic cleansing that shocked the world can become an “oasis” of peace and ethnic harmony, we have no excuse to remain captives of our past. We can replicate the Rwandan Example in Kaduna State.
“This meeting is timely. We want to chart a new direction that will lead to a safe, peaceful and prosperous Kaduna State. But we cannot do that without looking at our past, current and possibly future challenges. We must not continue to live in denial. Kaduna State has had its fair share of ethnic and religious conflicts. Although the intensity of ethnic and religious conflicts have drastically reduced, fear of escalation due to tussles for land remains strong. Apart from ethnic and religious tensions, we now face the destabilizing activities of bandits, terrorists, kidnappers, armed robbers and other criminal elements.“
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